The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
It's a sign of devotion
You made everybody else seem insane
You filled my head with your notions
You made everybody else seem so tame
In your bed I lay reeling
You made everybody else seem a shame
I knew from the way I was feeling
Nothing could ever be quite the same
I moved straight into your shoes
I took up your cause and answered your phone
I couldn't really imagine
What life was like when I was alone
Then I started to worry (then I started to worry)
I thought of our lives left on the shelf
Too much TV and curry
Too much time spent on ourselves.
We were sitting in waiting
And I told you my plan
You were far too busy writing
Words that didn't scan
And you lent me your records
And I leant you an ear
Funny how it seems to me now
That you were never here
Never really here.
In our bed I lay reeling
You made everybody else seem insane
I knew from the way I was feeling
Nothing could ever be quite the same
It's a sign of devotion
You made everybody else seem so tame
Then it felt like going through the motions
First impressions never remain
We were sitting in waiting
And you told me your plan
I was far too busy writing
Rhymes that'll never scan
Now I've sold all your records
'Cause they give me the fear
Funny how it seems to me now
That you were never here
Never really here
Never really here
You made everybody else seem insane
You filled my head with your notions
You made everybody else seem so tame
In your bed I lay reeling
You made everybody else seem a shame
I knew from the way I was feeling
Nothing could ever be quite the same
I moved straight into your shoes
I took up your cause and answered your phone
I couldn't really imagine
What life was like when I was alone
Then I started to worry (then I started to worry)
I thought of our lives left on the shelf
Too much TV and curry
Too much time spent on ourselves.
We were sitting in waiting
And I told you my plan
You were far too busy writing
Words that didn't scan
And you lent me your records
And I leant you an ear
Funny how it seems to me now
That you were never here
Never really here.
In our bed I lay reeling
You made everybody else seem insane
I knew from the way I was feeling
Nothing could ever be quite the same
It's a sign of devotion
You made everybody else seem so tame
Then it felt like going through the motions
First impressions never remain
We were sitting in waiting
And you told me your plan
I was far too busy writing
Rhymes that'll never scan
Now I've sold all your records
'Cause they give me the fear
Funny how it seems to me now
That you were never here
Never really here
Never really here
Lyrics submitted by BrownBabu84
Never Here Lyrics as written by Justine Elinor Frischmann
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Justine's assessment of her relationship with Suede's Brett Anderson. Not too shabby.